Manipal: To be a member of the LGBTQ community in India is no fun. It is a life full of struggles, and 'trolls'. People have always been negative towards the community, making it hard for them to survive. But things are changing fast.
Trinetra Haldar Gummaraju, a transwoman is joining the group of transgender women who are making it big. Fighting all odds, the 23-year-old trans-woman, is now interning with the Kasturba Medical Hospital, Manipal. She has massive Instagram followers of 95.7K. She has been experiencing online harassment for being vocal about her transformation and supporting the LGBTQ community (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, transsexual, queer). She has been fighting to educate these trolls on the prejudices associated with the LGBTQ community.
She shut her trolls with a post on Instagram. She wrote: "Ch*kka, tr*nny, f*ggot, m*ttha, k*jja, and countless other titles were awarded to me. This day forward, it's Doctor."
The fact that LGBTQ members have to hide their identity, makes it difficult for them to do something great for themselves or the society. However, there are many from the community, who have been working hard to live a dignified life. Dr Trinetra is one of such inspiring example of the trans community.
Trinetra has put up various inspiring stories on her Instagram from her childhood till today. She has kept two highlights on her Instagram which are titled as 'Trans Info 1' and 'Trans Info 2,' where one can find all the information regarding the process of transforming from one gender to the other.
Describing her childhood, Trinetra wrote in one of the posts on Instagram like every normal child who understands their gender while growing up, she did too and she should not be punished and humiliated for her choices.
People leave awful comments on Trinetra's pictures, however, she has been focusing on the good, and still fighting to educate the people. Trinetra is the first trans woman medico from Karnataka.
The entire transgender community in India has always been subjected to preconceived notions of living a marginalised life, where they are forced to beg or dance and sing in celebrations.
In this fight against transphobia, Assam has been scoring well as it has given enough space from the people of the trans community to explore their chances in various fields. The first transgender judge from northeast India, Swati Bidhan Baruah is an inspiring example. She has always dreamt of bigger things in life and worked hard for it. Swati was opposed by her family to go for the surgery to transform, however, she fought them and underwent the surgery.
The times are changing, and so are the people. The LGBTQ society needs to be empowered and encouraged in a way that they too lead a dignified life.